Stretcher



July 23, 1929.

A. HOPKINS- STRETGHER Filed A ril 16. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 nilllllllitll'lllll 1 INVENTOR ZZfP'ecZJiBpk'ILn-S YVYVH'NESSES BY W7 5- ATTORNEY A. HOPKINS July 23, 1929.

STRETCHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 16, 1927 llliliL WITNESSES ATTORNEY,"

Patented July 23, 1929.

at ins j ALFRED HOPKINS, OF'BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY IMESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T HOPKINS-[PULL MACHINERY (30., OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A COR:

PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

STRETCI-IER.

Application filed April 16, 1927. Serial No. 184,373.

This invention relates to an adjustable portable stretcher on which'lace and other curtains, and divers other articles, such as' blankets, may be stretched after washing,

particularly adapted for supporting blankets,

draperies and the like in a stretched condition.

The nature of the invention and its distinguishing features and advantages will appear when the following specification 15 read in conjuction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of a stretcher em-. bodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view looking at one end of the stretcher.

Fig. 3 is a view looking at the opposite end of the stretcher. 1

Figs. 4, and 6 are "detail sectional views, respectively taken on the lines 4-4, 5-5, and 6-6 of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 7 illustrates one of the features of the frame.

The improved stretcher of the present invention includes a frame composed of a pair of horizontal top members 10, a pair of horizontal bottom members 11, and end members 12 and 13, which connect the members 10 and 11 together to form a rigid oblong rectangular frame. A pair of horizontal trackmembers 14 are connected between the end members 12 and 13. bers 12, each have material engaging means such as strips of card clothing 15, the pins of which are adapted to impale the articles to be stretched. The frame is provided with horizontal pairs of members'16 each of which carries card clothing 17. The members 10, 14 and 16 are arranged in parallelism in superposed relationship. Means is provided in conjunction with each pair of members 16 to support them from the end members 12 and 13 in different adjusted positions. The said means includes a bolt 18 slidable in a guide 19 secured to the members 16. A spring 20 which surrounds the bolt 18, has one end in The top members 10, and end memcontact with the guide'and the opposite end in contact with a collar 21 on the bolt 18. The end 22 of the bolt is adapted to enter either, of the'holes 23 in the end member 13. The spring 20 functions to project theend 22 into either one of the holes 23. A lever 24 is connected with the bolt 18 to retract the end 22 from the holes. The lever 24 is operable inconjunction with a handle 25. connected with a bolt 26 slidable in a guide 27 secured to the members 16. A spring 28 which surrounds the bolt 26, has one end in contact with the guide 27, and the opposite end in contact with a collar 29 on the bolt 26. One end of the bolt 26 is adapte'd'toj enter either oneof a series of holes which will occur in the end member 12. The spring'28 func tions to project the end of the bolt 26 into either of said holes. The lever 24 is connected with the bolt 26 by a wire 30 so that both bolts 18 and 26 will be retracted at the same time by manipulating the lever 24.

In order to counter balance the pairs of members 16 there are provided weights 31. One weight 31 is connected with the opposite ends of one pair of members 16 by chains or the like 32, which pass over pulleys 33 on parts of the frame. The other Weight 31 is oonnected with the opposite ends-of the other pair of members 16 bychains orthe like 34, which pass over pulleys 35 on parts of the frame. The weights 31 move respectively in tubular members 36 connected together at the ends by bracket members 37 attached to the end member 13. The pairs of members 16 cooperate with the pair of top members 10 to support lace curtains and closely kindred ar- The lever 24 is ticles in a stretched condition While being dried.

A pair of connected vertical members 38 are provided. The members 38 at opposite ends respectively havesmall arms 39. Each arm '39 has a pin 40. The pin 40 on the upper arm 39 moves between the top members 10 and the pin 40 on the lower arm 39 moves between the bottom members 11. The pins 40 serve to guide the members 38. Each of the members 38 has a strip of card clothing 41. A bracket 42 is attached to the members 38. The bracket 42 carries pairs of wheels 43 which travel on the track members 14. A clamping device 44 serves to hold the members 38 in different positions of adjustment. r

In stretching a blanket or closely kindred article use is made of rollers 45. These rollers are ournalled in suitable fixed bearings 16 respectively on parts of the frame and dis posed outermost with respect to the parts of the frame which carry the rollers. Any pre ferred number of rollers may be used. They may be disposed in pairs as shown at the top and at one end of the frame. A blanket or the like 47, Fig. 6, is passed over the rollers 45 and the ends of the blanket may be engaged by the card clothing or lower pair of members 16; according to the size of the blanket. The members 16 will be moved downwardly stretching the blanket and the bolt 26 will be projected into one of the holes 23 to hold the members 16 in position against movement, thus maintaining the blanket in a stretched condition. In this manner the blanket will be held in a stretched condition while drying. It will also be obvious that the rollers 45 at the end of the frame may be utilized in conjunction with the members 38 and the card clothing 41 carried thereby for holding an article in a stretched condition while drying.

To stretcha comparatively small curtain or blanket, one edge is fastened to card clothing 15 on one of themembers 10, and the other edge is fastened to card clothing 17 on one of the lower members 16; A standard or smaller sized curtain will have one edge fastened to card clothing 17 on one of the adjustable up- .per members 16, and the other edge will be fastened to the card clothing 17 to one of the lower adjustable members 16. The reason for providing the upper adjustable members 16 is so that they can be located at a more convenient height. thevfioor and fasten the top edge of a blanket or curtain to one of the upper members 16 instead of being compelled to use one of the top members 10, when the width of a curtain An operator can stand on or rail 50 being long enough to support the frame outside of the drying room while the articles are being applied before being moved into the drying room.

I claim:

1. Ina stretcher, a rectangular frame, a pair of rollers mounted on the top members of this frame in spaced relation thereto and to each other, and over which the article to be stretched is passed with its ends depending therefrom, and a pair of spaced horizontal members adjustably mounted in the frame, each member of the pair having means for securing the depending ends of the article thereto. I

2. A stretcher comprising a rectangular frame having two of its members provided with means for securing an article thereto, horizontal members slidably and adjustably mounted in the frame and each provided with means for securing said article thereto, means for counter-balancing said last members, said last means including cables secured to the members and having weights at their ends and tubular guides on the frame and in which the weights work; and a vertical member adjustably mounted in the frame and having means for secur ngsald article thereto, said members bemg cooperative to stretch said articles.

ALFRED HOPKINS. 

